Shirley MacLaine to guest-star in Glee

The American actress will be swapping Downton Abbey for the bright lights of Glee's New York City

Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine is set to join the cast of Glee.

The 79-year-old American star, who currently has a recurring role as Martha Levinson in ITV's hit period drama Downton Abbey, is swapping the English aristocracy for the world of solos and jazz hands in the show's fifth series.

MacLaine, whose CV also includes Terms of Endearment, Coco Chanel and In Her Shoes, will play a powerful New York socialite intent on turing Blaine (Darren Criss) into a superstar, according to TVLine.

The star is slated to appear in multiple episodes of the musical-dramedy, with her first performances expected to air later this month in the US.

Blaine moved to New York alongside other major characters Sam, Artie and Mercedes this season. The show, which had recently been spitting its time between McKinley High and NYC, is now set to solely focus on the drama in New York.